InquisitiveScouter

Not yet...but that is the goal/vision...currently, we do camp less frequently as a Troop so the Patrols can camp more as a Patrol. We are currently at one Patrol camping event per quarter. It is usually the adult support that is the limiting factor. The older Scouts really enjoy this, as they get a break from "supervisory" duties and get a chance to just hang out with their buddies. It seems to refresh them so they are more engaged on the Troop camping trips when the younger Patrols (yes, we use age-based patrols) need their guidance.

I hate "one and done." It is a cancer eating away at the outdoor program... for the youth and the adults... Our long-standing Troop policy (since before we joined) was that Scouts over First Class could sign off requirements up to First Class. When reviewing some Scouts recently, we discovered widespread pencil-whipping of requirements by a few older Scouts. I questioned them individually, and they admitted it. All had been signing off one or more requirements that they had no current working knowledge of...first aid, navigation, woods tools and knots, etc... So, moratorium on that policy. But the damage was done...it has taken time to rebuild some basic skills into the "corporate knowledge". The results are beginning to show...small things...knots tied correctly on tents, tarps, and lashings...Scouts actually bringing their Scout essentials on an outing...Scouts studying their Handbooks because they know that is what they will be tested on...dishes are cleaned (nearly) after every meal...Patrols actually have Patrol flags, yells, and a group identity/esprit de corps...and adults learning the skills because, for the interim, only they are signing off requirements. And, the most common refrain at camp from adults is now "Did you ask your Patrol Leader?" (You have to train the adults, too!!!) I am trying to get them back to the point where the vision is realized...Scouts teaching Scouts, and signing them off...a work in progress... Anybody else out there look into this closely and find something different??

@TMcL you are on target...effects of almost any conservation initiative can be expanded to a planet level... "common to more than one country" is fluff to make it more "World Conservation"-y Flip the question...what conservation projects' affects could not be extended to be common to more than one country?? I can't think of any. Perhaps the purpose of this is to get the Scout to see small local efforts as having a far-reaching impact. (Think globally, act locally?)

The cycle of abuse...

♦ Q: If my camp is cancelled, can my unit get together with other units and have our own camp? No. Chartering organizations play an important role in the program and activities for their chartered units. Chartering organizations promote well-planned unit program for the units they charter and encourage their units to have active outdoor unit programs. Chartering organizations are not authorized to plan, promote, or deliver programs for units outside of their charter. It is the role of the council to plan long-term or resident camps and the role of councils or districts to plan camporees and other outings during the year that give youth an opportunity to test their knowledge and skills in competitive events with other troops and/or patrols. When units with different chartered organizations do activities together, this becomes a district or council event and requires council approval. In fact, some states require such activities to be licensed. Should your troop, crew or ship decide to do a long-term camping program for their own unit (Cub Scouts units are prohibited from this activity) please note that the Scouter Code of Conduct and relevant program safety and training requirements are still in place, e.g., Safe Swim Defense, Hazardous Weather, Wilderness First Aid, etc. https://www.scouting.org/coronavirus/covid-19-faq/ As this is not printed anywhere I can find other than in FAQ (can anyone please help?) I'd say get forgiveness vs. permission... I think they may have written this with full knowledge they'd be implementing their NCAP policy... Another aside...if both CO's agree, and provide leadership for their own units, I say "Giddyup!"

Although, they will only be disbanding the corporation known as the Boy Scouts of America. Scouting is a movement that must be intellectually separated from the BSA. Scouting will go on, and I intend to be one who keeps it going, with or without the BSA. Hence my moniker...

Good point...

Except the lawyers...

Ahhh...re-read, please...a) BSA national, b) local council, c) chartering org... Units are not mentioned, as they are not legal entities...

Units are never legal entities...that is the purpose of the chartering organization. But I know you knew that! You could incorporate a unit, but it would not really be part of the BSA. The legal entity you created could charter a BSA unit that would have the exact same membership as the incorporated entity. But, the entity must have principal officers and a board which can, potentially, be held liable for actions of the corporation.

A great resource... https://tap.scouting.org/ Check it out

Save your money, book a week on the Chesapeake, DelMarVa Council: http://www.delmarvacouncil.org/high-adventure-opportunities/high-adventure-sailing-on-the-chesapeake/9297#Registration Save even more money...eliminate the middle man of the council, and book directly with the company: https://www.experiencesail.com/ You'll have to plan for and bring your own meals...but they will give you guidance on that...

Isn't it always about the money??

Wonder what drove this? https://www.scouting.org/outdoor-programs/trail-to-adventure/the-highlights-of-short-term-camp-an-interview-with-the-ncap-chairman/

The market provides...

Yes, but any licensed provider could do it. They just have to enter their info, just as on the BSA form. And yes, people cheat. We have had parents fake Part C's before, and called them on it, discretely of course.

What is that??

Agreed...and they have already done it. But download the form, then get it filled out/signed, then uploaded again is horrible. Even the government has figured this one out...the FAA has an online "secure" medical clearance website called MedXpress. https://medxpress.faa.gov/medxpress/ https://www.faa.gov/pilots/safety/pilotsafetybrochures/media/medxpress.pdf Aviators and air traffic controllers (in the works) create an account, and put in all their medical info before their provider visit. At the visit, the provider logs in to complete some additional data and "clear" the pilot to fly. Bada bing, bada boom...you have an FAA Medical Certificate and are flying in/managing our national airspace. With standardized data, you can easily pull an "caution" report for your outing. Print out forms if you are going someplace with no access... The hurdle here is cost (of course) and to get parents on board for A&B, and providers on board for Part C, with accounts to log in and provide data and clearance. But, with (from 2019 Annual Report) 2.1M youth and 800K adult volunteers, plus outing visitors (yes, all participants must have the form) that could possibly be the largest medical database in existence. Possible, but highly improbable this would ever come to be...

Ever hear of Price's Law?? https://dariusforoux.com/prices-law/ 50% of the work is done by the square root of the total number of people who participate in the work.

Wow! No wonder there is a high turn over rate...I wouldn't do any of that...nor ask the DE to do it. Our previous DE, when he first came in, pulled me aside and asked what is the one thing our district needed to focus on. I told him we need Commissioners. I think we have two...and I don't even know who ours currently is... And we currently have no DE. I twist our CC's arm to come camping with us...a lot!!

Will you move here and be our CC, please?? (with no pay ) concur

Another pro tip... Carry a few copies of the BSA Health and Supplemental Insurance Form (or other form if you have a different insurance) in your medical binder. If you give those to the provider and explain it is supplemental, you can save parents aome headaches and bucks down the road. Our supplemental insurance through our council covers any co-pays... https://www.hsri.com/forms/claim forms-approved/Boy Scouts of America/Boy Scouts of America - Council & Unit.pdf You will still need to fill out and get a form signed at your council office when you return home, though, in order for the claim to be processed. Uber-pro tip... If you have any Scouts or Scouters who are covered by TRICARE (health insurance for military members, retirees, and their dependents), then BSA Health and Supplemental, by federal law, becomes primary, and provides full coverage. No claims should be filed with TRICARE. Again, if this applies, it could save some headaches. Providers will need the same form as above, or your whoever your insurer is...

Agreed, but we often do Patrol camping where each Patrol selects their own destination...so two or three books going out is not unusual for us. It keeps the Medical Forms Grand Poobah on her toes

HIPAA only applies to providers/insurers/etc... https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/faq/190/who-must-comply-with-hipaa-privacy-standards/index.html The BSA no-scan guideline exists to protect you from identity theft and fraud, as well as safeguarding personal and private health information that you don't want plastered all over the internet...